Flashcards
Ecosystems At Risk
Cards in this deck (16)
- 1What is an ecosystem?Where living and non living components of the biophysical environment interact
- 2What is the biophysical structure of ecosystems?Organisms: 1 Kangaroo
Populations: 1,000 Kangaroos
Communities: 1,000 Kangaroos and 1,000 Horses
Ecosystems: Kangaroos and Horses living next to a river
Biosphere/Ecosphere - 3Describe the energy cycle1. Energy from the sun is consumed by producers
2. Producers use photosynthesis to convert into glucose for use
The food chain allows the energy to flow throughout the ecosystem - 4Describe Nutrient CyclingNutrients originate from rocks or the atmosphere
Erosion and human activity removes nutrients
Organisms must gain nutrients from an outside source - 5What is Dynamic Equilibrium?Constantly changing while maintaining balance
Stresses can disrupt the equilibrium, if catastrophic, it won't recover - 6What are some vulnerabilities of ecosystems?- Lack of biodiversity
- Small size
- Organisms specialised to specific conditions
Species dependant on eachother - 7List ways ecosystems can be resilient- Elasticity: Rate of recovery
- Malleability: Difference between recovery level and stress event
Amplitude: level of change that would prevent recovery - 8How are ecosystems important?HUMIN
Heritage: Connects us to our identity - e.g Australian bushland
Utility: Provides resources - e.g forest provides wood
Maintain Genetic Diversity: Lack of biodiversity results in vulnerability - e.g potato blight in Ireland
Intrinsic: Spiritual perspective
Need to Allow Natural Change to Proceed - 9What are some management philosophies?Preservation: No human access (Royal National Park)
Conservation: Minimise environmental damage
Utilisation: Replacement of nature with human environment
Exploitation: Destuction or significant reduction in ecosystems. - 10Spatial Patterns of Kurnell and ITWLocation: Sutherland Shire, Sydney, NSW
Altitude: 20 - 60 metres above sea level
Continuity: Formed around 15,000 years ago - 11Spatial Patterns of GBRLocation: Tropic of Capricorn off the north eastern coastline of Australia
- Continuity: Around 8,000 years ago - 12What is the Accretion Cycle?A natural function that occurs on coastal sand dunes
- Involves the deposit, storage and removal of sand
- Cliff erosion and oceans cause sand and rocks to appear
- Waves push sand on shore - 13What is Longshore Drift?The transport of sand and pebbles along the coast
- 14What is coral bleaching?Occurs when the temperature drastically changes, resulting in coral dying
- 15Characteristics of GBR- Ideal temperature of 20 - 27 degrees C
- Water in high salinity
- Aeolian erosion and cyclones damage the reef
- Extremely biodiverse
- Storm damage improves resilience of species - 16Characteristics of ITW/KurnellITW:
between high tide and low tide zone
- Frequent flooding
- Heavy rain, strong winds cause damage
Kurnell:
- Vegetation acts as a barrier
- Strong winds and waves causes rapid change.
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- Year 12 Geography Flashcards on Ecosystems At Risk, created by Simon Aiello on 30/03/2018.
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- Simon Aiello
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